Minden Nature’s Ride
Driving Route: Minden Hills Nature Ride
Distance: 72.1 km
Total driving time: 1.5 hours
If you love to hike and explore nature, the Minden Hills Nature Ride has 9 possible stops where you can get out and stretch your legs and discover the natural beauty of the Haliburton Highlands.
It’s a loop ride, so you can start anywhere along the route, we invite you to start in Downtown Minden.
- A – Start with a coffee at Upriver Trading or the Minden River Cone on Main Street
- B – Turn left onto Deep Bay Road (County Rd. #2) – 18.1 km
- C – Turn right onto ON HWY 35 – 10.2 km
- D – At the Lights turn Left onto Monck Road (County Rd. #45) – 15.3 km
- E – Turn Left onto County Rd. #121 – 7.5 km
- F – Turn Right onto Gelert Rd. (County Rd. #1) – 12.9 km
- G – Turn Left onto South Lake Road (County Rd. #16) – 8.1 km
- H – You are back on Main Street in the village on Minden
Where to Start your morning…
Start your day in the village of Minden where you can get a coffee and enjoy the Minden Riverwalk, a 1 km walk along the Gull River’s edge. You will them start the Minden Hills Nature Ride by heading to Deep Bay Road.
Up River Trading Co.
Cafe serves delicious espresso drinks made with Balzac’s Coffee and bakery snacks. Speciality teas and handmade fudge also available.
Minden River Cone
Family owned elevated fast food, soft serve ice cream, Belgian chocolate dips, specialty coffee…
Minden River Walk
An unique pathway follows the Gull River and loops with a connecting foot bridge that brings you back downtown…
Plan to stop and view nature…
While you travel along the Minden Hills Nature Ride be to sure to pick a couple of the Parks, nature preserves and points of interest to get out and explore the forest and wetlands of the Canadian Shield.
Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park
One of the largest and least developed natural areas south of Algonquin Park. It protects an ecological diverse and biologically significant area with more than 50 vegetation patterns.
Dahl Forest
The Dahl Forest is approximately 500 acres and straddles. The ecological significance of the Dahl Forest is evident in the diversity of species and habitats found on the property…
Minden White Water Preserve
A 100 acre park with trails adjacent to a some of Canada’s best whitewater rapids for park’n play kayaking and canoeing.
Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve
Encompassing 470 hectares (1163 acres) of central Ontario woodland and wetland… exhibits a great diversity of community types due to its topographic variability, as well as its position on the edge of two major geologic formations.
Snowdon Park
This 6.0-km loop trail is great for birding, hiking, and snowshoeing, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring…
Ritchie Falls
There are several small falls in this little passive park located on the east side of the river….
Austin Sawmill & Heritage Park
The Sawmill was recently reconstructed and brought back to life with static displays that illustrate the milling processes that were utilized within the original mill….
Panorama Park
This elevated park overlooks the village of Minden and offers a beautiful setting for picnics and stunning fall colour viewing with trees that provide natural shade…
Haliburton Rail Trail
The scenery along the way is exceptional, with lazy winding rivers, waterfalls, bogs, heritage bridges and even the ruins of a chemical plant….
Great Food & Drink choices…
Whether before, during or after your drive you may find yourself hungry and thirsty. Below are some great stops along the way to rejuvenate you energy levels.
The Rockcliffe – Moore Falls
We’ll have a little bit of main street and a little bit of high street on our menu. Everything is going to be made daily from scratch…
Dominion Hotel
Relax with dinner in our formal dining room, our casual restaurant, or have a drink by the bar…
Phone 705.286.6954 Learn More
Mark’s Restaurant
The food is very regular Canadian-Chinese food, something quickly disappearing from big cities like Toronto where authentic Chinese food is taking over…
Phone: 705.286.1818 Learn More
Wintergreen Maple Products
A timber-framed barn, in a country atmosphere, chock full of foods and preserves produced on site….
Phone: 705.286.3202 Learn More
Mulligans Pub & Patio
Bar and Restaurant located along the Gull River in the heart of Minden Ontario…
Phone: 705.286.6666 Learn More
Molly’s Bistro Bakery
Delicious foods are created in house using the finest local ingredients…
Phone: 705.286.6988 Learn More
Boshkung Social
Located in the heart of Minden and overlooking the Gull River, Boshkung Social provides a wide assortment of beers to go or stay!…
Phone: 705.286.2711 Learn More